Mechanically-operated electrical switch.



E. B. REESE.

MECHANICALLY OPERATED ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-8.1915.

1,293,547 Patented Feb. {1, 1919.

I Wi Edward Eleese. 4%. WM V 4 MM A TTORNEYJ UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

EDWARD B. REESE, 0F INDIANAPOLIS; INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO SWARTZ ELECTRIC00., OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

MECHANIQALLY-OPERATED ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Patented Feb. '4, 1919.

Application filed November 8, 1915. Serial No. 60,403.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD B. REESE, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Indianapolis, county ofMarion, and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and usefulMechanically-Operated Electrical Switch; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters refer tolike parts.

The object of this invention is the utilization of the fluid pressure inan internal combustion engine to operate an electrical switch. Theinvention has been made with particular reference to its use inconnection with an electrical apparatus, such as a genorator, driven bythe internal combustion engme with the switch for controlling thecircuit being automatically operated and controlled by the fluidpressure in the engine. However, the invention is not limited to anyparticular use for which the switch may be devoted, although it is ofparticular importance chiefly in association with electrical apparatusdriven by an internal combustion engine.

The chief feature of the invention consists in arranging the plungeroperated switch with the cylinder in which the plunger operates inproper communication with the crank case, cylinder or other chamber ofthe internal combustion engine, wherein there is gaseous fluid underpressure so that the pressure of said fluid as soon as it arises uponthe starting of the englue, will operate to move the switch into acircuit closing position and will maintain it in such position until theengine ceases to operate. Since the actuation of the switch issubstantially mechanical in character, it is absolutely positive andcertain in operation and has none of the uncertainties and unreliabilityof an electrically operated switch.

The full nature of the'invention will be understood from theaccompanyingedraw ings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the engine, switch andelectric generator, and a circuit in diagram. Fig. 2 is a centralvertical Section through the switch mechanism. Fig. 3 is a similarsection to Fig. 2, showing the switch actuated.

There is shown in the drawings herein an internal combustion enginehaving cylinders 10, a crank case 11, an electric generator 12 driven bythe engine shaft 13, an electric line H from the generator to the switchmechanism, a line 15 from the switch to the work, and a line 16 from thework back to thegenerator.

The switch mechanism, which in detail i tion and relative arrangementwith the electric lines is immaterial to this invention as they may bearranged in any desired manner.

The switch plunger rod 21 extends into a cylinder 24 having a plunger 25connected with the rod 21, and a spiral spring 126 around said rod 21and within the cylinder for depressing the plunger and returning it toidle position. The cylinder 24 is mounted on the upper end of aliquid-chamber 26 and a tube 27 extends from said cylinder down into thechamber 26 near the bottom thereof. The chamber contains fluid 28. Apipe 29 leads to the upper part of the chamber 26 from the crank case 11of the engine, or, if desired, it may extend from any other part of theengine so as to bring the chamber 26 into conununication with anyportion of the engine containing gaseous fluid under pressure, saidpressure being caused by the operation of the engine. However, theinvention is not necessarily limited to the association of the chamber26 with an internal combustion engine, as it may be associated with anyother device or chamber containing fluid under pressure.

In operation. as soon as the engine is started or thefluid underpressure is re- .tionl'with some portion of the engine so as to receivefluid pressure therefrom when the engine is operated, fluid in saidchamber,

- said chamber being adapted to receiveand holdnfluid, a cylinderuponsaid chamber -with a supply tube extending from the lower part, ofsaid cylinder into the lower 4 part of said chamber whereby the gasunder pressure from the engine will force a portion of the fluid out ofsaid chamber through said tube into said cylinder, a plunger in saidcylinder adapted to be oper ated,by the fluid entering said. cylinder,and an electric switch in position to be operated by said plunger.

2. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a chamber incommunication with some portion ofthe engine so as to receive flui-dpressure therefrom when the engine is operated, fluid in said chamber,said chamber being adapted to receive and hold fluid, a cylinder uponsaid chamber with a passage extending from the lower part of saidcylinder into the lower part of said chamber, whereby fluid pressuremeans for returning said plunger to its idle position.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

EDWARD, B. REESE.

